Shapes in Nature (Part 2) – Learning in the Making: LIVE!

Learning in the Making: LIVE! Join Maker Ed for “Shapes in Nature, Part 2” on May 13 at 1:00 PM PST at bit.ly/MakerEdLIVE

Each week we are collecting and curating resources around a topic and the next two weeks are about structural engineering—buildings constructed by animals (May 6) and humans (May 11)!

Join us in Learning in the Making: LIVE! This will be a two part series with special guest educators from the Lawrence Hall of Science!

Part Two on May 13: Design It, Build It with Newspaper Dowels

After exploring shapes in nature to build a shelter, we will continue using newspaper dowels to explore strength and stability while building structures. Is a single piece of paper strong enough to hold up a water bottle? Which shapes provide the most strength and stability in different structures? Join us next week to explore these ideas—using newspaper, tape, and your creativity! Have fun with principles of engineering, physics, and geometry as you design and build sturdy structures and other cool creations.

To make newspaper dowels, use these simple directions or watch this short video. Materials you will need:

• Newspaper (other options: paper, magazines or catalogs)
• Tape (scotch or masking)
• Drinking Straws (other options: wooden dowels, round chopsticks, markers, pencils)

Visit our blog at makered.org/blog for more inspiration, resources, and project guides! Videos — live and archived — are at bit.ly/MakerEdLIVE